Moving Part

Must be able to have the motion repeated. Must be closely related to a function of the city

Construction Methods and Ideas

Sometimes the simple approach is the best.

The model should highlight the thought process behind the city

Maintain quality, be NEAT, it does count!

Be flexible and adaptable if something doesn’t workout right or fit correctly. Learn from thisand, if possible, make it work for another item on the model

This is a time consuming task, so plan ahead for it. BE PATIENT! It will get done. As the saying goes,”Rome wasn’t built in a day.”

Work on a clean, smooth and hard surface

Wear protective eyewearwhen cutting, spraypainting, etc.

As an old saying goes, "Measure twice, cut once";

Itis helpful if you cut out all the pieces of an assembly first,then test fit them together before putting (gluing, taping, etc.) them together.

If you don’t have a scale and it isn’t’t in your budget,then you can make a scale using a regular ruler.

Make sure you allow for the model identification card

Create a solid base for the model by using plywoodor particle board. Be careful to use the thinnest possible to save on weight, but it needs to be stiff enough to carry the model without the base flexing.

If there is a need for an underground transportion, you can use wood blocking or another sturdy material such as plastic piping to create the space needed.

Model Enhancements

Make sure they are to the scale of the model

Trees: These can be made from twigs and sticks with cottonballs (can be painted green), lichenfrom a hobby store,dried flowers or weeds (make trees that are between 20feet and 40 feet in height) or sponges with food coloring.

People: These can be made from sticks, tooth picks, matboard, pins, dowels, pipe cleaners, etc. (use 6 ft. for height)

Cars: These can be made from layers of mat board orcardboard glued together, toy cars that are the right scale,Styrofoam, etc.

Glass: You can use clear plastic dividers, sleeves, sheets,etc., remember to put this on close to last so it doesn’t’t get scratched.

Bricks/Pavers: You can use a colored paper or other colored material that matches what you want it to look like and then draw on the pattern or you can take a white paper or material and color it with markers, crayons, etc., remembering to show the pattern.

Roads: You can take a black paper or color a white paperblack and then draw on the lane markers with a white and/oryellow colored pencil or crayon and then cut to size.

Sidewalks: You can use a gray paper or color a white paper and then cut to size.

Grade Changes: You can use Styrofoam that is cut/shaped to what you want, use layers of cardboard or mat board to formcontours or slope the model.

Water: You can use blue colored paper or color white paper blue. For added affect, you can put clear plastic or plastic wrap (the kind you use for foods) over it.

Building Material Looks: To make something look like the material it is in “real life”, you can draw on jointlines, etc.

Sand/beach: You can use sand paper (very fine grit).

Grass: Use green colored paper or color white paper green or you can use a “grass material”from a hobbystore. Another idea may be to use a green felt or fabric.

Transporting Your Model

Consider how to make your model “weather proof”. This is important in the case that there is rain, windand/or dust around when you are transporting themodel to the various display and competition sites. This can be done by building a plywood case that fits over the model (if done right, this can be screwed/attached to the base in case it needs to be shipped. Another method would be to use a largeplastic bag/container, but make sure that it doesn’t damage any of the model components.

Another item to consider is how you are going to carry the model. The easiest method would be to have some wood blocking underneath the model as these then provide hand-holds that make it easier to carry.

Make sure that the model isn’t too heavy to be easily carried.

Repair Supplies

You should have materials on hand to be able to repair your model(new elements or construction not allowed) These should include tape, glue, extra model elements, items to keep/repair moving part and for fixing the base and sides.